'Aggravated Pimping' Probe for Strauss-Kahn

Former IMF Chief Is Put Under Preliminary Investigation for His Alleged Involvement in a French Prostitution Ring

By

David Gauthier-Villars

Updated March 27, 2012 3:24 p.m. ET

PARIS—French magistrates charged Dominique Strauss-Kahn with "aggravated pimping," placing the former International Monetary Fund chief under preliminary investigation for his alleged involvement in a French prostitution ring, prosecutors said.

The magistrates on Monday ordered Mr. Strauss-Kahn to refrain from communicating with plaintiffs as well as with anyone else being prosecuted in the investigation, prosecutors from...